After running through the routine again and again, Castro took a break to talk about the costume he will wear during his performance for "Dancing with the Athens Stars" Sunday at The Classic Center.

Castro is one-half of team six in Project Safe's annual fundraiser and will perform the aerial dance piece with his partner, Canopy Studio trapeze and aerial silks instructor Julie Phillips.

The performance is dedicated to Castro's mother, who is a survivor of domestic violence.

"I know first-hand what (domestic violence) can do to somebody and to a family," he said. "Project Safe is one of those organizations that's amazing in the way it can change people's lives. It used to be just women who were victims of domestic violence, but now it's men and children, too."

The duo is the first team in the fundraiser's history to perform an aerial trapeze dance, but Castro said that wasn't his plan when he suggested it to Project Safe Executive Director Joan Prittie.

"I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make the commitment (to the fundraiser) and thought I was calling her bluff and said I would do it if I could do it on trapeze," he said.

A week later Castro received a phone call from Prittie saying The Classic Center would be able to rig a trapeze on stage and that she was looking forward to the performance.

"I immediately panicked," Castro said with a laugh. "I asked Julie if she would perform with me and she didn't hesitate. She was really excited."

Next, Castro called Clint Watson at Tribe Fitness to help him get into shape.

"There was no hesitation from him either," he said. "I knew I was out of shape and there was no way I was going to be able to get on the trapeze, much less perform on it."

After months of training, Castro said he now feels confident on the trapeze.

"I set goals for myself and lost a certain amount of weight and worked on my flexibility to be able to do some of the tricks and I'm there," he said. "I'm very proud of myself."

Phillips is proud of Castro as well and said she has enjoyed his attitude as he worked to learn trapeze ticks and practice their routine.

"When I first started working with him he had trouble doing a side hip hang, but he kept saying, 'I can do this. Don't give up on me. I can get this,' and I really loved that," she said. "He was so determined."

In addition to the dance, each team also is charged with the responsibility of raising funds for Project Safe and spreading awareness about domestic violence in the community in the months leading up to Dancing with the Athens Stars.

To help, Castro's life partner and co-owner of Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast, Dave Shearon, signed on as the team's marketing manager and helped organize fundraisers like a Zumbathon, a cheese tasting and demonstration at Hedgerow Farms and a concert at Ashford Manor featuring Randall Bramblett.

Shearon hopes to help Castro and Phillips raise the most money this year and set a goal of $30,000. Last Castro heard, the team was close to raising $20,000.

"I love that we're the event's first trapeze piece and that we get to introduce Canopy to the community," Phillips said. "It's a chance for people to understand Canopy's mission in Athens as a nonprofit that pairs well with Project Safe's mission because of its ability to create strong and confident people."

Prittie agrees.

"I'm thrilled we'll be able to showcase a different style of dance and Canopy," she said. "Canopy helps teach girls to be strong physically and mentally and helps them to build confidence and uncover the strength they have inside of them that can help them in the event that they find themselves in a difficult situation."

Proceeds raised through the event will go to support client assistance services for victims of domestic violence through Project Safe, including prevention and education, crisis intervention, ongoing support and systems change and the agency's teen dating violence initiative "Breaking Silence," which features a teen texting hotline.